CONCIERGE SYSTEMS AND METHODS

• US 20110071865A1
• Filed: 03/16/2010
• Published: 03/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Add A Concierge, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Add A Concierge, Inc.
• Inventors: Pankey, John, Hawthorne, Michael, Leeds, Alice
• Application Number:
  US12/724,427
• Publication Number:
  US 20110071865A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/6
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/025 Coordination of plural reservations, e.g. plural trip segments, transportation combined with accommodation
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 17/051 Direct insertion, i.e. without external loading means

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for a computer implemented concierge system. The system includes receiving an itinerary having one or more guest interests indicated therein; receiving one or more vendor features or capabilities; filtering candidate trips by matching the guest interests with the vendor features; and displaying the filtered candidate trips for selection.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method to provide concierge services for a hospitality company, comprising:

a. receiving an itinerary having one or more guest interests indicated therein, wherein each interest has different combinations of guests from a group, as not every guest wants to participate in every service that is booked;

b. receiving one or more vendor capabilities from a vendor database, as each vendor can login and control their own detailed content including descriptions, times, menus, minimum ages, cancellation policies, and required experience levels;

c. matching the guest interests with the vendor capabilities;

d. after verbally or in writing confirming guest interests, clicking a submit button to send communications to a plurality of vendors instantly through an internal email notification system;

e. receiving separate vendor confirmation for each guest interest combined on one chronological itinerary, including details for contact, what to bring and wear, service descriptions, times, minimum ages, cancellation policies; and

f. communicating vendor confirmation with the hospitality company guest service employee to follow up with the guest and saving a history of guest activities to assist guests efficiently on another visit.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising

a. sending an email or instant messaging to the vendor to notify the vendor of a communication on a reservation request, wherein the vendor securely logs in to the system, and views the reservation request which include information to make the reservation;

and

b. prompting the hospitality company guest service employee to request information from the guest that the vendor requires.

3. The method of claim 1, comprising receiving a confirmation or an update from the vendor on a predetermined guest interest.

4. The method of claim 3, comprising notifying the hospitality company of the vendor update with an email.

5. The method of claim 1, comprising notifying the guest of trip status in an email or on-line message.

6. The method of claim 1, comprising providing a filter showing guest specific activity options or restaurant options and updating the filter based on guest preferences including date, time, and age, and find applicable activities, restaurants, and services that fit one or more filter criteria.

7. The method of claim 1, comprising providing a filter for date, time, age, or location.

8. The method of claim 1, comprising automatically generating recommended meal plan based on a dietary profile or a local transportation for the guest interest based on a guest profile.

9. The method of claim 1, comprising determining shared revenue due the hospitality company based on a reservation and generating in real time reports.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the vendor or an employee of the hospitality company logs into a secured server to access all information relating to a guest activity.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the vendor or an employee of the hospitality company logs into a secured server to access all information relating to a guest activity.

18. The method of claim 17, comprising receiving a confirmation or an update from the vendor on a predetermined guest interest for a predetermined reservation.

11. A computer implemented method to provide concierge services for a hospitality company, comprising:

a. receiving an itinerary having one or more guest interests indicated therein;

b. receiving one or more vendor capabilities;

c. filtering candidate trips by matching the guest interests with the vendor capabilities; and

d. displaying the filtered candidate trips at the hospitality company for selection and review by the hospitality company with the guest(s).

12. The method of claim 11, comprising:

a. receiving an itinerary having one or more guest interests indicated therein;

b. receiving one or more vendor capabilities;

c. matching the guest interests with the vendor capabilities;

d. communicating the guest interests with to vendors matching the interests in one simultaneous communication;

e. receiving vendor confirmations for each guest interest; and

f. communicating vendor confirmation with the hospitality company.

13. The method of claim 11, comprising providing a filter showing guest specific activity options or restaurant options.

14. The method of claim 11, comprising providing a filter for date, time, age, or location.

15. The method of claim 11, comprising automatically generating recommended meal plan based on a dietary profile or a local transportation for the guest interest based on a guest profile

16. The method of claim 11, comprising determining shared revenue due the hospitality company based on a reservation.

19. A computer implemented concierge system for a hospitality company, comprising:

a. means for receiving an itinerary having one or more guest interests indicated therein;

b. means for receiving one or more vendor capabilities from a vendor database;

c. means for filtering candidate trips by matching the guest interests with the vendor capabilities; and

displaying the filtered candidate trips for selection;

d. means for matching the guest interests with the vendor capabilities;

e. means for communicating the guest interests in one substantially parallel transmission to all vendors matching the interests;

f. means for receiving separate vendor confirmation for each guest interest; and

g. means for communicating vendor confirmation with the hospitality company.

20. The system of claim 20, comprising means for sharing revenue from a reservation with the hospitality company.

21. The system of claim 20, comprising means for determining commissions owed to the system for each service booked by the hospitality company.

22. The system of claim 20, comprising means for sharing visit profile information with each selected service.

23. The system of claim 20, comprising means for generating auto-confirmations so when the vendor confirms an activity, the hospitality company employee is notified and the itinerary is automatically emailed to a guest.

24. The system of claim 20, comprising a filter for hiding sold-out services.

25. The system of claim 20, comprising:

a. means for revenue Sharing between a network operator and members of the network including the hospitality company;

b. means for displaying a status of reservation in different filterable configurations showing requested, modified, approved, canceled, or denied requests to allow the user to monitor, in real time, the status of all reservation;

means for taking reservation request(s) entered into the itinerary by a guest service employee and contacting the vendors through email for request confirmations;

c. means for prompting the guest service employee to ask questions that pertain to information needed for a particular service which prevents the guest service employee from having to remember (or be trained) what questions to ask, and when, in order to complete a reservation request;

d. means for capturing visit profile information that carries over into each service selected;

means for providing a vendor interface where vendors can login and enter/edit/view their service descriptions or view/confirm/deny/modify reservation requests;

e. means for generating auto-confirmations when the vendor confirms an activity to notify the guest service employee and the itinerary is automatically emailed to the guest; and

f. means for indicating sold-out services after filtering.